Speedway News (10125)
Keep up on racing and speedway news from around the US
New Era Begins for Storied Racing Circuit and Hillside Campgrounds
22 Jan 2020 Written by Adam SinclairA new era is being ushered in at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, home to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as President and General Manager John Narigi merges his business acumen with a solid management team that has years of experience at the County of Monterey’s breathtaking 542 acre multi-purpose complex.
Narigi comes to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca after 40-plus years in in the hospitality sector, where he oversaw numerous turnarounds that took major underperforming properties into profitable ventures. He also has been awarded with numerous accolades over the years from Monterey associations for his contributions to improving the business landscape throughout the county.
The management team consists of individuals who are deeply versed in all areas of the facility and its major events. “It is important to the owners and I that a knowledgeable and skilled team assume the helm of their departments,” said Narigi. “This is the best team in the business and each person has the passion for the facility, our events and series, track renters, sponsors, campers, hospitality clients and for every guest who enters to enjoy this world-renowned treasure.
“My priority is to invigorate the team and guide them by adapting sound business practices that will ensure WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will deliver on our promise to everyone of a world-class experience,” Narigi continued. “This includes enhancing the family experience with activities that will support the on-track racing action.”
Returning to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca after seven months in San Diego is Barry Toepke, who becomes Director of Marketing and Communications and the event manager for the annual and highly anticipated Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which is one of the pillars of Monterey Classic Car Week held each August. Toepke spent 10 years internally at Laguna Seca managing communications and historic racing and was integral in growing the event’s popularity. He first became involved in the historic racing event in 1989.
The management team is stepping right into place and have played integral roles in the success of not only the Rolex Reunion, but the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and last year’s inaugural Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey that welcomed IndyCar back to the storied race circuit.
The passion for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca extends from Monterey resident, MotoAmerica co-founder and three-time world champion Wayne Rainey who brings his racing series to his home track, to the people who run its daily operations. Together, the team has nearly 100 years’ experience at Laguna Seca that ensures each activity runs seamlessly and successfully. The team consists of (in alphabetical order):
Matt Brady, Track Manager
Brandy Falconer, Communications Manager
Steve Fields, Sr. VP of Sales
Rick Garcia, Director of Facilities
Mark Mathe, Director of Operations
Kathy Muller, Retail Manager
Lisa Saclayan, Ticket Manager
Jeanie Sumners, Marketing Manager
Aaron Tharpe, Director of Sales and Sponsorships
Barry Toepke, Director of Marketing and Communications
Judy Varley, Track Rental Coordinator
“I am incredibly proud of the entire team who has shown immense passion and dedication to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and in their desire to work as a team to think out of the box and work toward exceeding all guests’ expectations,” Narigi added. “The County of Monterey has entrusted us to bring about a positive change after it became evident new leadership was needed to ensure today’s visitors and the generations who will follow are able to enjoy everything this facility has to offer, whether it is the races, the year ‘round RV and tent camping, festivals or specialized corporate hospitality venues that are entirely unique to Monterey County and beyond.”
The 2020 season kicks off April 16-19 with the Sea Otter Classic; Trans Am SpeedFest returns May 1-3; MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest at Monterey July 10-12; Ferrari Challenge Series July 23-26; the Monterey Pre-Reunion August 8-9; Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 13-16; and Monterey SpeedWeek consisting of Monterey SportsCar Championship (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship) September 11-13 and the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (NTT IndyCar Series) September 18-20.
Visit WeatherTechRaceway.com or call 831-242-8201 for complete event information and a full range of ticket and hospitality packages available.
Richmond Raceway Expands 2020 Track Laps for Charity Schedule
22 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffRichmond Raceway (Richmond) announces an expanded 2020 Track Laps for Charity schedule. The four events will offer race fans the opportunity to drive their personal vehicle around America’s Premier Short Track for a donation of $20. The donation will benefit Richmond Raceway Cares and a different charitable organization in the greater Richmond region for each Track Laps for Charity.
“The opportunity for race fans to take friends and family for laps in their personal vehicles around Richmond Raceway’s iconic ¾-mile D-shaped oval is always a memorable experience,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “As we expand our Track Laps program to give back to the greater Richmond region, fans can now have a direct impact in supporting local charities. We look forward to welcoming the community for Track Laps for Charity this year.”
For 2020, Richmond has partnered with the Bair Foundation, Blessings in a Backpack, Sickle Cell Research at VCU Health System, and the Markel Corporation for quarterly Track Laps for Charity events. See below for the full 2020 Track Laps for Charity schedule:
- Sunday, March 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Bair Foundation
- Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Blessings in a Backpack
- Saturday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Sickle Cell Research at VCU Health System
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Markel Corporation
Richmond Raceway Cares fuels the development of children in the greater Richmond region through the support of youth-focused organizations and life enrichment programs within our community. Richmond Raceway Cares is a donor advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable entity, that donates racing-related items and offers financial support to assist community outreach programs and other nonprofit charities.
Fans can sign up in advance by visiting richmondraceway.com/tracklaps or at the track on the day of a Track Laps for Charity event. Fans are also invited to take a tour of the FanGrounds, turn a few laps in the Richmond Raceway Simulator, play games and more in the modernized infield.
- To participate, drivers must be 18 years of age or older with a valid state-issued driver’s license.
- Maximum speed is 55 miles per hour with drivers behind the Official Toyota Camry Pace Car.
- Drivers must stay up to speed and refrain from lagging behind in order to speed up.
- Seatbelts must be worn at all times.
- Motorcycles are permitted.
- Track Laps for Charity may be postponed or canceled due to inclement weather or safety conditions. If a cancellation is necessary, Richmond will make its best effort to contact guests in advance of their visit.
For more information on Richmond Track Laps, visit richmondraceway.com/tracklaps.
For more information on Richmond Raceway Cares, visit richmondraceway.com/
Richmond Raceway PR
Reigning ACM Festival of the Year Faster Horses enlists Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett and many more for eighth-year festivities
22 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffReigning ACM “Festival Of The Year” Faster Horses Festival revealed the highly-anticipated lineup for the festival’s eighth year today, sharing that superstars Jason Aldean, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett would lead the race to this year’s “Party Of The Summer.” Set to return to Brooklyn, MI on July 17-19, it was also announced that Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Kelsea Ballerini, Russell Dickerson, Gone West ft. Colbie Caillat, Riley Green, HARDY, Chris Lane, Tracy Lawrence, David Lee Murphy, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Mitchell Tenpenny and DeeJay Silver will perform as part of the festival’s main stage lineup. Passes for the three-day, two-stage camping experience festival will go on sale February 7 at 10am ET at www.fasterhorsesfestival.com.
“As Faster Horses has continued to grow, we continue to look for more ways to provide an enhanced experience, this year is no exception,” shared President of Country Touring at Live Nation, Brian O’Connell. “Obviously, with the announcement of these stellar artists that will join us for the Party of the Summer, we are also introducing several new camping options, and a completely reimagined VIP experience for those that are looking for a more upscale getaway this summer. We continually put our resources back in to the festival, from talent to amenities, to meet the growing needs of Faster Horses veterans, and new fans as well.”
Continuing to hold its status as a “country music festival tradition” (Rolling Stone), fans can expect Faster Horses to embrace it’s unique community culture with multiple fringe activities available to fans throughout the weekend and with more details to be shared in the coming months. Spotlighted as “not just another music festival” by Billboard, attendees return each year to enjoy the festival’s first-class lineup and hand-picked vendors. Named ACM “Festival Of The Year” Faster Horses Festival has also become an artist-favorite with many enjoying the good-natured backstage vibes.
This year, even more fans can enhance their experience with the addition of three new RV campground options. The festival’s fan-favorite Tack Room VIP area is also expanding with a two-story deck with lounge, reserved stadium seating and option to reserve a "Mustang Suite” offering brand new views of the stage, a private bar and food buffet, souvenir gift bags and more. For more information on Faster Horses, visit www.fasterhorsesfestival.com, Twitter @faster_horses, Instagram @fasterhorsesfestival and join the conversation on Twitter, #FasterHorses.
Faster Horses Festival is part of Live Nation’s premiere family of country music festivals across the country, including Watershed in George, WA, Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale. FL, Seven Peaks Music Festival in Denver, CO and TrailBlazer Festival in Hunter, NY.
MIS PR
NASCAR Truck Series 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway now kicks off the 2020 championship playoffs
21 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffThe 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series iHeart 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway underwent an exciting new change today – for the third time. First, the race was moved from June to August to create WWTR’s INDYCAR-NASCAR doubleheader weekend. Second, NASCAR announced new pit stop rules for select races, including WWTR’s 200. Today, NASCAR officials announced the expansion of the Truck Series playoffs, adding two more drivers to the eight-team playoffs, and making the WWTR 200 the first race in the Round of 10.
Three races comprise the Round of 10: WWTR (Aug. 21), Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Ontario (Sept. 6) and Bristol (Sept. 17). Two teams will be eliminated at the conclusion of the Round of 10.
“The NASCAR playoffs always produce incredible drama and we’re excited that our event will play such an important role in the championship chase,” said Chris Blair, Executive Vice President and General Manager of World Wide Technology Raceway. “Our venue is unlike any other on the schedule and the spectacular racing that we always deliver will make quite an impact to kick start the Round of 10.”
The playoff format previously followed an opening Round of 8, another three races in the Round of 6 and the Championship 4. Brad Moran, managing director for the Gander Trucks Series, said that the emergence of more top-level teams and the heightened degree of competition made the decision to increase the playoff field a natural one.
“The way the format was structured in the Gander Truck Series with the Round of 8, Round of 6, Round of 4, we were leaving some excitement on the table,” Moran said. “Maybe three or four years ago, not so much, but certainly the last couple of years with the series strengthening to the position it’s in right now, we really felt putting 10 teams into the playoffs for a Round of 10 is just going to make it that much more exciting and interesting, and will put a lot of emphasis on winning races, which is what we try to do.”
Moran said that competition officials had been weighing a potential expansion by comparing final standings from previous seasons, ultimately arriving at a 10-driver field for the Gander Trucks tour. It also provides some late-season cohesion: Now all three national series will feature a Round of 8 that cuts the playoff fields in half before the championship finales.
“It seemed like the right number,” Moran said. “We only start 32 trucks, we have a great group of owners, and we did not want to water down our playoffs, but the two additional trucks kind of changes the whole layout. It changes the whole ecosystem of the playoffs. People are going to be that much more aggressive to get one of those 10 spots, and it does marry up with the other two series when we get to the Round of 8.”
WWTR’s Aug. 21-22 NASCAR-INDYCAR Doubleheader Weekend now includes:
- Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline for the NTT IndyCar Series
- iHeart 200 for the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.
- ARCA Midwest Series (Super Late Models)
- Indy Lights Series
- Indy Pro 2000 Series
- Vintage Indy Registry/Open Wheel Icons exhibitions
For tickets and information, please call World Wide Technology Raceway at (618) 215-8888 or visit www.wwtraceway.com. Follow WWTR on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
WWTR PR
Ryan Preece Lends Kevin Harvick His Car in Testing at Martinsville Speedway
21 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffOne of the most anticipated events on the 2020 Martinsville Speedway schedule was unofficially kicked off today when former NASCAR Modified Tour champion and current NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece tested his modified car today.
Preece was joined by modified veteran Gary Putnam who also brought his car out to prepare for Ryan Newman to drive in the first race for the modified division since 2010 at Martinsville Speedway.
Preece is already excited to be back at Martinsville in his modified.
“I drove my old box truck through the gate this morning and that was pretty cool,” said Preece. “That is a memory I’ll never forget.
“As far as modified goes, it’s the history the modifieds have at this track … you want to come and race here. (Martinsville) is just a special place.”
Also joining Preece was former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, who added this idea to test a modified car was a long time in the making stating that Preece has been talking to him about it for about two years.
“I told Ryan this is his fault,” said Harvick. “I’m taking a lot of grief from my other half, but obviously this is a great experience for me. It’s way outside my normal, everyday routine and things that I’ve raced.
“I’ve never raced anything like this. Just to drive it was a lot of fun for me and it definitely put a smile on my face. It’s definitely a good experience for me.”
Harvick, whose company KHI Management lists Preece as a client, said today was a result of the relationship he started with Preece a while back.
“For me, we’ve had a great relationship that (Preece) started with Stafford Speedway. Between Ryan and Stafford Motor Speedway, that’s why I drove three hours up here today to come up here and do this,” Harvick said.
“I wouldn’t drive it if I didn’t want to race it. Let’s just make that clear. We’ve talked about that. It’s something that will definitely be on my bucket list to go do.”
Tickets to the MAXPRO Windows Films 200 modified race and the first NASCAR Cup Series race under the lights can be purchased by calling 1-877-RACE-TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
Martinsville Speedway PR
Pull those Straps Tight! NASCAR Racing Experience Returns to Talladega Superspeedway this Weekend
21 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffPull those straps tight! The NASCAR Racing Experience returns to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, January 25-26, and the track has announced additional dates racing enthusiasts can experience the ride of a lifetime.
Below is Talladega Superspeedway’s 2020 NASCAR Racing Experience schedule:
January 25-26, 2020
March 21-22, 2020
May 2-3, 2020
September 19-20, 2020
October 10-11, 2020
With the NASCAR Racing Experience, fans can get the thrill of driving a stock car or by taking a NASCAR Ride Along as a passenger. NASCAR Racing Experience offers timed racing sessions, and those who choose to drive will have no lead car to follow and no instructor riding along. Everyone must attend a mandatory drivers meeting with their crew chief for training and instructions prior to hitting the track.
To purchase your next NASCAR Racing Experience, for questions or more information, please visit www.nascarracingexperience.com
Talladega Superspeedway kicks off its 2020 season on April 24-26 with a tripleheader race weekend featuring the GEICO 500 (NASCAR Cup Series), the MoneyLion 300 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) and General Tire 200 (ARCA Menards Series), along with the spring debut of the all-new Talladega Garage Experience. For additional ticket information, call 855-518-RACE (7223) or log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
TSS PR
New express shuttle added betwween infield and fan zone for NASCAR weekend at AMS
21 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffNASCAR fans camping in Atlanta Motor Speedway’s infield are getting an express pass to fun during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 weekend.
That’s because the Speedway is implementing another enhancement under its 20 in 20 Initiative that fans have been asking for: a direct shuttle between the AMS Fan Zone and the infield.
New for the 2020 NASCAR weekend, this shuttle will make use of a specialized non-stop path to get fans staying in the infield out to the Fan Zone and all of the games and entertainment that await. Thanks to the new Infield/Fan Zone Express Shuttle, fans in the infield will spend less time traveling and more time enjoying everything NASCAR weekend at AMS has to offer.
The Infield/Fan Zone Express Shuttle is the 14th improvement to come from Atlanta Motor Speedway’s “20 in 20” initiative. All told the Speedway will be announcing 20 individual enhancements to increase fan value and the overall enjoyment of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR weekend on March 13-15.
Tickets and camping locations for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway are available now by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX or visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
AMS PR
Clocking In - 58th Rolex 24 At DAYTONA Set For This Weekend
21 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffThe 58th running of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA sports car endurance classic is five days away. The rhetorical clock is ticking, leading up to Saturday afternoon when the real clock comes into play.
The Rolex 24, the season-opening race for the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, starts at 1:40 p.m. Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Competitors will then face one of motorsports’ most challenging events, a twice-around-the-clock excursion on the 3.56-mile DIS road course. Four WeatherTech Championship classes – Daytona Prototype international (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD) – will vie simultaneously for the overall and the separate class titles.
Beneath that overview of one of motorsports premier races lies a plethora of storylines supporting the undeniable resurgence of the Rolex 24 in recent years. That resurgence has coincided with a reimagined IMSA, which has made the 2014 merger of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series a sparkling triumph, to the benefit of North American sports car racing fans.
Each season, it all starts amid the consummate backdrop: the “World Center of Racing” in the city where IMSA was founded in 1969.
Every year at the Rolex 24, the buzz inevitably begins with the entry list. This race is renowned for attracting an all-star field featuring drivers from other racing disciplines such as NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1. This year fits the mold as two-time and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch heads the must-see list, co-driving the No. 14 AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Lexus in the production-based GTD class, making his Rolex 24 debut.
Other entry-list highlights:
· Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Simon Pagenaud is entered, as are five other former Indy 500 winners – Scott Dixon, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Juan Pablo Montoya, Helio Castroneves and Alexander Rossi. Dixon, Pagenaud, Montoya, Hunter-Reay and Sebastien Bourdais are the past IndyCar series champions entered.
· There’s more NASCAR flavor in the Grand Sport Class of the four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge event on Friday – NASCAR up-and-comers Hailie Deegan, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe in the Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4s. The No. 15 will be piloted by Cindric and Seb Priaulx and the No. 22 by Briscoe and Deegan.
· Back to the Rolex 24, GEAR Racing powered by GRT Grasser is set to compete in the No. 19 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 with an all-female lineup of Christina Nielsen, Katherine Legge, Tati Calderon, and Rahel Frey. Nielsen and Legge have a combined 13 starts in the Rolex 24 and co-drove on the Meyer Shank Racing all-women’s team at last year’s Rolex 24.
· The defending race champion team from Wayne Taylor Racing returns with an altered lineup in the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi. Taylor – also a Rolex 24 champion as a driver in his younger days – is now fielding a team without both of his accomplished sons, Jordan and Ricky Taylor. Jordan has departed Wayne Taylor Racing for the legendary GT organization Corvette Racing. His exit was prefaced last year when Ricky joined Roger Penske’s IMSA team. This year’s WTR roster consists of Dixon, former IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe plus returnees Renger van der Zande and Kamui Kobayashi.
Off-track items of note start with this year’s Grand Marshal, the immensely popular – and successful – Christian Fittipaldi, who retired from competition after last year’s Rolex 24. Fittipaldi, nephew of open-wheel legend Emerson Fittipaldi, won the Rolex 24 three times in his career.
There will also be plenty of activities for fans to enjoy throughout the Rolex 24 including:
· Taste of the 24: For the 11th consecutive year, The NASCAR Foundation will host its Taste of the 24 event. Held in the Midway Suites, fans can indulge in delicious foods from Daytona-area restaurants while enjoying live entertainment; they will also be entered to win a Rolex watch.
· Heritage Exhibition: A number of historically significant race cars will be on display all weekend long inside UNOH Fanzone. Cars featured include sports cars from 1965 to 2013 that raced in the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, with a strong focus on cars from the various prototype eras. On Saturday morning, the participating cars will turn demonstration laps and a parade lap around a portion of the road course.
· Rolex 24 Boardwalk and Ferris wheel: Fans can visit the infield for a wide selection of food and carnival rides, including one of the largest Ferris wheels on the East Coast, which allows them to watch the race from 150 feet in the air.
· One of the world’s largest autograph sessions: Nowhere else in the world will fans find some of the greatest sports car drivers all signing autographs at the same time and in the same location. The UNOH Fanzone will host the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship autograph session prior to Saturday’s race. With all of the Rolex 24 drivers participating, it’s one of the largest autograph sessions in all of sports.
· IMSA Twenty-Four Premier at ONE DAYTONA: On Wednesday, January 22, before the teams take to the track, race fans can get up close to the cars and drivers during this fan-friendly event at ONE DAYTONA across the street from Daytona International Speedway. From 6-8 p.m., fans can meet some of the biggest names in the sport, watch a live pit stop demonstration and more.
· Car manufacturer and vendor displays: With the paved infield Midway jam-packed with manufacturer and vendor displays, car fanatics can find the latest information on some of their favorite race teams, straight from the makers of the machines themselves.
· Annual Celebration of Speed at ONE DAYTONA: For fans who enjoy exotic cars and want to help a good cause, at ONE DAYTONA on Friday, January 24 from 6-8 p.m., luxury vehicle owners will gather to raise money to help support The NASCAR Foundation.
Tickets for the 58th Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 62nd annual DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 16 and other speedway events can be purchased online at www.
DIS PR
Darlington Raceway to celebrate Daytona Day with community watch party on Sunday, Feb. 16
21 Jan 2020 Written by Speedway Digest StaffDarlington Raceway will celebrate Daytona Day and the start of the 2020 NASCAR season by hosting its ninth annual Daytona 500 Community Watch Party on Sunday, Feb. 16.
The party will be hosted at Mellow Mushroom, located at 120 Dunbarton Dr., in Florence, S.C. The event will start at 1:30 p.m. and continue until the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
The Community Watch Party will feature a food and drink special courtesy of Mellow Mushroom. Fans who attend will have the chance to win tickets, pit passes and pre-race ceremony wristbands, along with other prizes and giveaways to the NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend.
“Our ninth annual watch party is a great way for us to engage with our local race fans and celebrate Daytona Day and the start of the 2020 NASCAR season,” track President Kerry Tharp said. “We’re excited that the event will once again be held at Mellow Mushroom for the fourth consecutive year, which is an outstanding venue to watch The Great American Race on February 16.”
The watch party will also feature a video gaming area at Mellow Mushroom where fans will be able to simulate racing at Daytona International Speedway. Top times posted during the contest will receive prizes during the party.
Proud partners of the ninth annual Community Watch Party are Coca-Cola, Crown Beverages and WEGX Eagle 92.9 FM (iHeart Media).
Additionally, with the Daytona 500 quickly approaching, Darlington Raceway will be a presenting sponsor of live coverage from Daytona Speedweeks. Local media partners WWFN 100.1 FM ‘The Fan’ and WEGX Eagle 92.9 FM will broadcast live from Daytona International Speedway on February 13 and 14. The Daytona 500 will also be available live on Eagle 92.9 FM (MRN) beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 16.
“We appreciate all of our local media partners for their assistance in covering the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of our sport, as well as their involvement in supporting our Community Watch Party,” Tharp said. “We encourage fans to tune-in to either Eagle 92.9 FM or The Fan 100.1 FM on Thursday and Friday evening for live coverage from Daytona, which will feature a wide variety of interviews and news updates from the World Center of Racing.”
You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame. Fans are encouraged to post their Southern 500 stories and memories at, #Southern500 and #SportClips200.
Darlington Raceway PR
Daytona won't be the only track rocking when the green flag flies on NASCAR's 2020 season. The next best option to being at "The Great American Race" is watching it at "The Great American Speedway" on the world's largest HDTV.
Texas Motor Speedway officially kicks off the opening of the 2020 NASCAR season Feb. 15-16 with its sixth edition of the World's Largest Daytona 500 Watching Party.
Just like in Daytona, though, Speedweeks don't start with the big race. That's why Thursday, February 13 during the Daytona Duels qualifying races, all six Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q locations across North Texas are hosting season kick off parties for race fans.
The parties, both at Rudy's on Thursday and Texas Motor Speedway Saturday and Sunday, give fans multiple ways to get their early-season racing fix --- and their 2020 race tickets.
From 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, fans can purchase 2020 season tickets or O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 weekend tickets at Rudy's, guaranteeing themselves access to an exclusive Q&A session with a NASCAR Cup Series driver on O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 race day (Sun, March 29). On top of that, Rudy's is offering a 20 percent dinner discount that night and one free bottle of BBQ sauce for 2020 TMS season ticket holders.
That weekend No Limits, Texas, plays host to a free infield party for campers and tailgaters highlighted by the season-opening NASCAR races being broadcast live from Daytona International Speedway on the colossal 20,633 square foot "Big Hoss TV."
On-track action begins with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, Feb. 15, (1:30 p.m. CT, FS1) and culminates with the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 16 (1:30 p.m. CT, FOX). Last year's event attracted more than 5,000 fans along with 350 RVs to watch the racing action from Daytona Beach, Fla., on the 12-story tall, high-definition TV located on the Texas Motor Speedway backstretch.
In addition to the racing action and pre-race NASCAR shows on "Big Hoss," there will be free Chevrolet Impala and Camaro SS pace car rides on track Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fans can even ensure they have the best seat and camping spot available at Texas Motor Speedway for the 2020 season as speedway ticket representatives will be on hand to provide guided tours and let interested ticket purchasers personally select their grandstand seats or camping spots.
The event is open free to the public and fans planning to tailgate or camp can RSVP now by clicking HERE. Fans, however, are not required to RSVP to the event and can just show up for the festivities on either day, including those planning to camp.
Access to the infield via the South Tunnel opens at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 15, for those fans looking to camp overnight and for tailgaters visiting for the Xfinity Series race. Guests are permitted to bring their own food and beverage to the infield throughout the weekend.
The 2020 season at Texas Motor Speedway opens March 26-29 with the O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 NASCAR tripleheader. The opening weekend features the Vankor 350 Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race on Friday, March 27; My Bariatric Solutions 300 Xfinity Series race on Saturday, March 28; and the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 on Sunday, March 29.
Both season tickets and individual tickets for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 weekend are available by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com or calling the speedway ticket office at 817.215.8500.
TMS PR
